DC’s First Whiskey and Vodka Distillery

Straight to One Eight Distilling, a new maker of vodka, rye and gin in Northeast. The bottles start
hitting local bars and stores next month, but they’re also having a launch party on Thursday, and Saturday
afternoon tours begin this weekend. (See the
slideshow here.)

This comes to you from a former biotech guy and a former attorney who decided they’d rather use their
brains to make spirits. You’ll find these spirits in an old Ivy City warehouse, with industrial windows,
globe lights and concrete floors.

Before you taste, the guys will show you the 2,000-liter German still, the local grains that they mill
themselves and the 36 barrels of eight-year-old bourbon, which may make their way into some experimental
spirits.

Then it’s back out to the tasting room, to sample the Rock Creek White Whiskey, the rye-based
District Made Vodka and (next month) the Ivy City Gin.

Speaking of that tasting room, the whole thing’s available as a private event space, complete with a
catering kitchen.